Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy- Worcester/Manchester (SOP-W/M) will facilitate an “Integration and Transition” program for the Class of 2026. The program will be offered over 3 days and is designed to foster a sense of belonging while providing students with the support they need to succeed academically and professionally. The program will culminate in the White Coat Ceremony.

The goals of the Integration and Transition program are to:

1. Build a sense of community: students will build connections with their peers and faculty, which can foster a sense of belonging and support and facilitate social and professional integration.
2. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): students will engage in discussions and an activity about DEI.
3. Improve student success: students will participate in reviews to emphasize key baseline content understanding that is required in specific coursework during the first professional year.
4. Improve student retention: students will engage in discussions about evidence-based learning strategies to promote self-awareness and adjust to the curricular demands of pharmacy education.
5. Promote team building: students will participate in an activity designed to promote team building while testing ideas and collaborating to improve process.

The program will start on August 30 and end on September 1, 2023.  All students are expected to participate in this program.

View the orientation schedule [PDF].

White coats and name tags will be ordered for each student by the department. White coat sizes should be based on blazers or jackets that you wear over other clothing. Students starting the program in Fall 2024 will receive the white coat order form in the summer. For questions, contact Holly Baker at holly.baker@mcphs.edu.

MCPHS has established technology guidelines for all new students.

The Accelerated PharmD program uses electronic testing (ExamSoft/Examplify) for assessments in all courses. All students are required to:

1. Have a laptop (Mac or PC) which meets the minimum specifications linked below. Download Examsoft/Examplify onto this primary device and bring it to the classroom for all required assessments/exams. When referring to the minimum specifications, take note of information pertaining to ExamID and ExamMonitor which require your electronic device to be equipped with a webcam and microphone.
2. Attach a well-fitting privacy screen or privacy filter to the primary device during assessments.
3. Have access to a secondary device (such as a smartphone) that is capable of joining a session via a virtual platform application (typically Zoom) and equipped with a webcam and microphone.

At this time, Examplify can only be used on Mac, Windows, and iPad operating systems. Examplify will not run on Chromebook, Android, or Linux operating systems. Please review minimum system requirements.

The Office of Experiential Education will play an important role during your time here as we guide you through the rotation process during your P2 and P3 years. We’ve put together a brief presentation to introduce you to our office and to give you an overview of what to expect in your experiential rotations. In order to access the presentation, you will need to self-enroll in the Wor/Man Introduction to Experiential Education course on Blackboard. Download instructions on how to self enroll.*

*New students will receive Blackboard login credentials in June each year. You will be able to complete the experiential education course after you’ve received login information.

During the fall semester, all incoming pharmacy students will be enrolled in Service and Care in the Community, a course based on an educational method in which the participants connect knowledge and theory to practice by combining service with reflection in a structured learning environment, through service work and active learning. This course is based on the conviction that providing service and care is critically important for anyone aspiring to become a member of a healthcare profession.

Students will engage in weekly class discussions, perform service work in the community, collaborate on group research projects, and host class-led discussions.  

Please direct related questions to:

Worcester
Carrie Graham
carrie.graham@mcphs.edu

The fall 2024 schedule will be available in the summer. Please note this schedule is subject to changes before term start.

The MCPHS University bookstore on the Boston campus is able to sell and rent textbooks to students. Shipping is free to students ordering course material.

Students matriculating in fall 2024 will receive their booklist in the summer.